Family’s call to create a ‘haven’ to heal young mum from leukaemia

Katy Hallam

The devastated family of a young mother battling leukaemia are calling on the community’s support to create a garden ‘haven’ for her recovery.

Natalie Chamberlain had to leave her 20-month-old daughter Florence behind as she undergoes her second round of gruelling chemotherapy treatment at Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

The 26-year-old was only diagnosed with the aggressive form of cancer at the end of June and now her husband Graham is rounding up support from the local community to create a tranquil garden at their Adderbury home.

Graham, 27, said: “It was a real shock for all of us, but it’s slowly sinking in.

“Our daughter is too young to understand and she doesn’t know anything about what is happening.

“Natalie came home for a day following her first round of chemotherapy, but had to go straight back in because her temperature spiked.

“We just want to create somewhere where she can have her space and recover.”

Graham’s friends set up a Go Fund Me page for the mission, raising more than £2,000 in 18 days.

They plan to install new decking and create a raised border so Natalie, who won’t be able to leave the house because of the risk of infection, can go outside.

Local businesses including Homebase, B&Q, Travis Perkins, Gem Tool Hire and Smiths of Bloxham have pitched in, donating money, plants, skips and tools after being touched by Graham’s efforts.

The young father added: “The response has been absolutely crazy. We’ve had donations from all over the world – Dubai, Australia and Japan.

“People have been absolutely amazing, and this will give her something to look forward to.”

Anything left over from the GoFundMe page will be donated to Cancer Research.